Help Save a Historic Maryland Home

Please help save a part of Maryland's Civil War history

On July 1, 1968, my parents moved to a 27-acre farm in Southern Washington County. An area called Pleasant Valley.

My earliest memories there were of mud pies, tire swings and Barbie dolls and my childhood was idyllic.

The house was old and in need of some TLC, however it had contained a lot of love through the years.

The family before us filled the house with not only their own children but also many foster children.

The family before them, held another brood of children and their laughter filled the narrow hallways.

Before that, another family brought love and children into the home.

Looking back at old photos, the house always seemed to embrace children and animals.

Built in 1800, the house has seen many things.

Hard times, blood shed, life, death and the ravages of the Civil War.

At one time, the house was used as a makeshift hospital during the war and a stopping point for soldiers who drank water from the now torn down stone spring house.

Over the years, pieces of land were sold and the family fell apart as the house lay silent in grief.

The children all grown and on their own, their tire swings quietly stilled by the passage of time.

New owners moved in on my brother's property and tore down his house and my father's barn, forever changing the landscape that I dearly loved.

My parents Philip and Victoria Proulx both had businesses on the property and now both are gone having spent their last moments in the house.

They were wonderful people and did so much for Pleasant Valley.

My mother especially.

She was an advocate for children and vowed to make their lives better so they would not have to grow up unhappy and poor as she had done.

She spent countless hours volunteering at Pleasant Valley Elementary School and taught many, many children how to read and write.

She was the PTA President at Pleasant Valley and made many changes there. All for the betterment of the students.

She was responsible for the flashing light that you see at the end of Valley Road. She tried tirelessly to get a stop light there but fought opposition from the county. Every time I see that light, I think of her.

She and my father were the 4-H leaders in Pleasant Valley and again her goal was to make a better life for kids. Teaching them things like cooking, baking and sewing, she enjoyed every moment of her time being a "mom" to them.
 
Yes, the house has seen a lot in these last 214 years. Life, death, laughter and pain, the house holds all of my childhood memories and for that, I am grateful.

The house has been there for me, now, the house needs us.

Sadly, after many years of standing, the house is in great need of repair.

We have been turned down by three banks for a loan to restore the home and were told the photos are the reason we were turned down. 

The home is an 1800 log cabin that has been built around over the years. The back part was an addition that was built many, many years ago.

There are three chimneys, and 12 rooms and now sits on approximately two acres of land.

There is a small summer kitchen to the left of the home that was not only my mother's first antique shop but later became our 4-H clubhouse when I was a kid.

Once a house of history standing alone, it is now surrounded by newer homes, it's falling apart and it breaks my heart to watch it die.

However, we do not have the type of money it will take to restore it and refuse to "demolish" it as we were instructed to do by one bank.

After research, in order to "put the house back together" it will take approximately $50,000.

I have put together a "Help Save a Historic Maryland Home" in the hopes of raising money to restore it back to its historical glory.

This is where you can help:

If you would like to donate to help us save a part of Washington County Maryland history, now is your chance.

All donations accepted and greatly appreciated.

Your donation will help to save a historic Maryland home once owned by a great woman who lived her life to make a difference in the lives of others.

Now is your chance to make a difference.

For more information, please go to my site

Help Save a Historic Maryland Home  http://precivilwarhomerenovationproject.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=26&action=edit

where you will be able to read more about the project and see photos of the home.

I am grateful to each and every one of you for taking the time to read this and your generosity means the world to me.

Thank you!

Lisa V. Pr